Stamp dispenser



H. PALTER STAMP DISPENSER Nov. 2,46, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 10. 1966 f 1N VENTOR.

#5PM/4u PAM rf@ Nov. 26, i968 H. PALTER STAMP DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1966 IN VENT 0R.

H'PMA/ P TE@ United States Patent O 3,412,913 STAMP DISPENSER Herman Palter, Cleveland, Ollio (1571 E. 361st St., Eastlake, Ohio 44095) Filed Feb. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 526,502 16 Claims. (Cl. 225-11) This invention relates generally to dispensing devices and more particularly to a novel and improved trading stamp dispensing machine.

The practice of giving trading stamps with purchases has achieved widespread popularity. In most stores the cashier or salesclerk has been .provided with a supply of trading stamps in sheet form and it has been necessary to manually count the stamps, tear off the proper number and then give them to the customer. This procedure has often resulted in mistakes and considerable delay.

A stamp dispensing machine incorporating the present invention eliminates the hand counting of the stamps and, as a result, greatly reduces the likelihood of mistakes. The machine also is arranged to permit the rapid dispensing of any number of stamps automatically and accurately so that the efficiency of this operation is greatly improved. Still further, the supply of stamps within the machine is contained in easily removed and replaceable magazines so that additional supplies of stamps can be quickly and easily inserted into the machine. This further minimizes the delays in the dispensing operation, and further improves the handling efficiency. When the supply of stamps in the machine is exhausted it is a simple matter for the operator to open the machine7 remove the empty magazine and insert a loaded magazine with a minimum delay and a minimum possibility of loss of stamps due to improper loading ofthe machine.

A dispensing machine incorporating this invention is also provided with a simplified power drive which reliably operates to dispense the exact number of stamps required. It should be understood that although the embodiment of this invention illustrated is particularly suited for the dispensing of trading stamps, or the like, the invention may also be adapted for dispensing other strip materials.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved dispensing machine operable to accurately and automatically dispense selected amounts of strip material.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved dispensing device for automatically dispensing strip material wherein the supply of strip material is contained within removable magazines to facilitate the rapid reloading of the machine when the strip supply is exhausted.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved stamp dispensing machine for rapidly and accurately dispensing selected numbers of trading stamps, or the like, wherein the supply of such trading stamps is contained within removable magazines.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel and improved drive mechanism for a stamp dispenser wherein a single actuating member functions in one position to lock the feed against dispensing and in another position to operate a clutch for feeding.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel and improved dispensing device adapted to selectively dispense a plurality of types and denominations of tradings stamps, or the like, wherein a single power source provides the motive power for each type or denomination of stamps.

It is still another object ofthis invention to provide a novel and improved magazine loaded strip dispensing machine constructed and arranged for dependable, efficient, and accurate dispensing of strip material.

rice

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings wherein.:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of one form of stamp dispensing machine incorporating this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, illustrating the stamp dispensing machine in full line in the operating position and in phantom in the open position for removal and replacement of the stamp magazine;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the feed mechanism with parts removed for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary section taken generally along 4 4 of FIGURE 3 with parts removed and with selected parts illustrated in View rather than in section;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section of the planetary clutch structure of the feed mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view taken along 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and,

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the removable magazine.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the trading stamp dispensing machine incorporating the present invention is enclosed within a housing assembly 10 adapted to rest on a horizontally extending bottom section 11 or be mounted in any convenient location by means of a suitable bracket. An inclined keyboard panel 12 is provided with a plurality of keys or buttons 13 which are selectively depressed to determine the number of stamps to be dispensed.

It is customary for a single unit trading stamp to be given for each ten cents of the purchase amount below one dollar. Therefore, the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of vertically extending rows 14 of keys 13 with the right-hand row containing five keys and theadjacent row containing four keys for a total of nine keys. These keys are marked in multiples of ten cents. If single unit trading stamps are to be dispensed for a purchase amount ending in sixty cents, the key marked 60 is depressed and six trading stamps are automatically dispensed.

The third and fourth vertically extending rows 16 from the right-side again contain a total of nine keys or buttons 13. The keys in the rows 16 are marked for one through nine dollars and are connected to automatically dispense the number of trading stamps corresponding to the dollar amount of the purchase from one to nine dollars.

In some instances a larger denomination stamp having a value equal to ten single unit stamps is used. In such instances the operation of the keys in the rows 16 causes dispensing of such larger denomination stamps. In other instances the strips of stamps dispensed will have a plurality of stamps in each row. For example, five laterally aligned and connected stamps are sometimes used. Assuming that the type utilizing a tive wide strip of stamps, each designating ten cents, is to be dispensed, the mechanism is arranged to dispense two rows each containing five stamps for each dollar. For example, if the one dollar button is depressed two rows of five stamps will be dispensed. If the eight dollar button is depressed sixteen rows, each containing ve stamps, will be dispensed.

In the illustrated embodiment the left-hand row 15 contains four keys or buttons 13 marked in increments of ten dollars from ten to forty dollars. The mechanism operated by the rowy of buttons 15 is arranged to automatically dispense the correct number of stamps for purchases from ten to forty dollars. Depending upon the system of stamps this may be for the dispensing of even larger denominations of stamps or can be operated to cause dispensing of the same multiple rows of stamps that are dispensed by the row 16 but in larger quantities. With this arrangement any desired number of stamps for purchases from ten cents to forty-nine dollars and ninety cents will automatically be dispensed by the machine.

The stamps emerge from the machine past a guard bar 17 which extends across a front face of the machine below the lower end of the keyboard panel 12. In the illustrated embodiment a pair of windows 18 are provided behind which are mounted counters which indicate the total number of stamps dispensed by the machine. The counter and drive mechanism is arranged so that after the proper keys or buttons 13 are depressed an actuator key 19 is pressed to start the drive motor and initiate the dispensing operation. The dispensing continues until the required number of stamps are dispensed from the machine after which the motor shuts off.

Referring t FIGURE 2, the keyboard panel 12 and top plate 21 are hinged at 22 so that they may be raised to the phantom position for removal and replacement of a magazine 23. After a magazine containing a roll of stamps is inserted the machine is closed and is ready for its dispensing operation.

A counter mechanism 25 operated by the keys or buttons 13 and the actuator key 19 controls the dispensing, initiating and terminating operation when the selected number of stamps are dispensed. Details of the structure of the counter are not illustrated herein since the counter per se forms no part of the present invention but rather is the subject matter of a separate application which is to be led.

Reference should now be made to FIGURES 3 and 4 which disclose the structural arrangement of the feed and metering assembly of the mechanism. It should be understood that in most instances the machine will be provided with capacities for two or more magazines with similar feed and metering assemblies associated with each magazine. However, since the structure of the magazines is substantially identical and the structure of the feed mechanism for each magazine is substantially identical only one subsystem is discussed in detail.

The strip or supply of stamps 24 is provided with laterally extending perforations between each adjacent stamp in the strip. The strip of stamps 24 extend forwardly and down along the magazine 23 between a metering wheel 26 journaled for rotation on the magazine 23 and a stationary guide 27 also mounted on the magazine. The metering wheel 26 is provided with four rows of projections 28 symmetrically positioned around the metering wheel and spaced from each other along the periphery thereof by a distance equal to the length of a single stamp. The lateral spacing between the projections 28 is equal to the lateral spacing between the perforations in the stamps of the strip.

The guide 27 extends along adjacent the periphery of the metering wheel 26 through an arc greater than ninety degrees so that one row of projections 28 will always be located within the guide 27. The guide 27 is formed with arcuate grooves 29 positioned to receive the corresponding projections 28 as the metering wheel 26 rotates. These grooves 29 are best illustrated in FIGURE 4.

From the metering wheel 26 and guide 27 the strip of stamps 24 pass over a guide section 31 and between a drive roller 32 and idler roller 33. The drive roller 32 is journaled on a drive shaft 34 and is operated by a planetary type clutch which is described in detail below. The strip of stamps then passes out of the machine between a guide surface 36 formed on the guard bar 17 and a cooperating guide surface 37 on a link 38. A tear bar or cutter bar 39is mounted on the base 11 and has a cutting edge 41 spaced from but adjacent to the guide surface 36 at the forward edge of the machine. When the proper number of stamps are dispensed from this machine the edge of the last dispensed stamp is positioned with its perforations adjacent to the cutter edge 41 so that the operator merely tears off the dispensed stamps. It is important that the feed and dispensing mechanism be arranged so that the cutting edge 41 is located immediately adjacent to the perforations of the last dispensed stamp so that the stamps will not be damaged and a proper tear is achieved.

The link 38 is pivoted on a pin 42 supported by the magazine 23 and is resiliently urged in an anticlockwise direction by a spring 43. One end of the spring is anchored on a pin 44 on the magazine 23 and the other end is anchored on a pin 46 on the link 38. The idler roller 33 is journaled on a pin 47 also mounted on the link 38 and is pressed toward the drive roller 32 by the action of the spring 43. The guide surface 31 is also formed as part of the link 38 and is properly positioned with respect to the drive roller 32 by the action of the spring 43 and engagement of the idler roller 33 with the drive roller 32. Preferably, the spring 43 is sized to prevent any slippage between the strip of stamps 24 and the drive roller 32 during normal operation of the mechanism.

When the drive roller 32 is operated to dispense a length of the strip 24 the metering wheel 26 is rotated by the stamps and functions to count the number of stamps being dispensed. The projections 28 extend through the perforations between the stamps so accurate counting is provided and slippage between the metering Wheel 26 and the strip of stamps 24 cannot occur. Therefore, the rotational position of the metering wheel 26 provides an accurate determination of the number of stamps dispensed and also an accurate determination of the position of the stamps.`

The metering wheel 26 is formed with a drive gear portion 48 which meshes with a first driven gear 49. The gear 49 is a compound gear having a first portion 51 meshing with the gear portion 48 of the metering wheel 26 and a reduced diameter gear portion 52 meshing with a second driven gear 52. Both of the gears 49 and 52 are journaled on the counter mechanism 25 and provide the input thereto. The counter mechanism 25 is arranged to cause continued dispensing until the driven gears have rotated through an angle corresponding to the selected number of stamps being dispensed and then operates to stop dispensing. Since a direct gear drive is provided between the metering wheel 26 and the counter mechanism 25 accurate counting is achieved.

The counting mechanism 25 includes an actuating arm 53 for each of the magazines and each of the drives. The arm 53 is normally maintained in the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 by a mechanism (not shown) in the counter 2S. A control arm 55 is pivoted with the arm 53 on a pivot 55a and is spring loaded toward a stop 53a on the arm 53 by a spring 55b. In the illustrated position a projecting end 54 on the arm 55 is positioned in one of six notches S6 equally spaced around the rst driven gear 49 and the rst driven gear 49 is locked against rotation in either direction.'Since the first driven gear 49 meshes with the gear portion 48 on the metering wheel 26 this results in locking of the metering wheel in predetermined positions.

In the illustrated embodiment the gear portion 48 of the metering wheel is formed with sixteen teeth and the rst gear portion 51 of the first driven gear 49 is formed with twenty-four teeth. Therefore, the first driven gear 49 rotates through 1/6 of a revolution when the measuring wheel rotates through 1A of the revolution. Since there are six notches 56 in the rst driven gear 49 rotation of the rst driven gear 49 through 1A; of a revolution or multiples thereof results when rotation of the metering wheel 26 is equal to a quarter of a revolution or multiples thereof. Therefore, the projections 28 on the metering wheel are maintained in a predetermined orientation whenever the projection 54 is in one of the notches S6. The various elements are proportioned so that when the projections 28 are in the orientation illustrated with the projection 54 in any one of the notches 56 the perforations will be 1ocated in exact alignment with the cutter edge 41.

The control arm 55 is pvoted at 55a for clockwise rotation rom the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 to a point wherein the end of a plastic stop 57 on the actuating arm 53 is positioned for engagement by a stop face 58 on a projection 71 on the planetary clutch assembly. In this position the projection 54 is clear of the notches 56 and the metering Wheel 26 is free to rotate for dispensing stamps. The stop 57 is mounted back from its end face so that it can deect if the projection 71 would interfere with the movement of the arms and also to provide resiliency to reduce impacting when the clutch is engaged.

The counter mechanism 25 is arranged to return the actuating arm 53 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 after the driven gear 49 has rotated through a sufficient arc to dispense the selected number of stamps. For example, if the key 13 corresponding to ten cents or one stamp has been depressed the actuating arm 53 will return to the locked position as soon as the drive gear 49 has rotated through slightly less than 1/6 of a revolution. The arm 53 then returns to its illustrated position and permits the arm 55 to rotate under the inuence of the spring 55b to the illustrated position as soon as a notch is properly aligned. This occurs at the completion of 1/6 of a revolution of the gear 49 and when one stamp has been dispensed. Similarly, if the eighty-cent key 13 has been depressed the counter mechanism will maintain the control arm 55 in the operative position until the rst driven gear 49 has rotated through one and one third revolution at which time the control arm returns to its normal position and locks the metering wheel against further rotation. In such instance the metering wheel will have rotated through two revolutions and eight stamps will have been dispensed.

Reference should now be made to FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, for a clear understanding of the planetary clutch struc- Iture. It should be understood that there is a planetary clutch for each magazine and that the drive shaft 34 extends across the machine through each of the planetary clutches. Therefore, a single drive shaft supplies the power for feeding the stamps from each magazine. The drive shaft is powered by an electric motor (not shown) which is actuated by the actuating key 19 and runs until the counter 25 senses that the proper number of stamps are dispensed. The motor is then automatically shutoff until the next dispensing cycle.

The drive shaft 34 is a D-shaped shaft as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 6. A sun gear 59 is mounted on the drive shaft 34 for rotation therewith and is formed with external gear teeth 61. A spider or planet gear support 62 is formed with a tubular section 63 journaled on the drive shaft 34. However, in this instance the tubular section 63 is formed with a smooth inner wall so that the spider 62 and the drive shaft 34 are free for relative rotation. Journaled on the spider 62 are three planet gears 64 symmetrically spaced around the axis of the drive shaft 34 which are journaled for rotation relative to the spider and mesh with the sun gear 61.

A ring gear 66 formed with internal gear teeth 67 is journaled on the tulbular section 63 of the spider 62 for rotation relative thereto and is proportioned so that the internal gear teeth 67 mesh with the planet gears 64. The drive roller 32 is preferably formed of a plastic material fitted over the tubular section 63 with a press lit so that it is locked against rotation relative to the tubular section 63 and axially fixed relative thereto. The end 68 of the drive rollers 32 is positioned adjacent to the end of the ring gear 66 and retains the ring gear in its proper axial position. Preferably, the sun gear 59 is formed with a radial ange 69 which functions both to hold the planet gears 64 on the spider 62 and also to resist entry of dirt into the planetary drive.

The stop face 5-8 is formed on a circumferentially extending projection 71 on the ring gear 66. When the actuating arm 53 is in the locked position the surface 57 is clear of the projection 71 so the ring gear is free to rotate. At this time the stamps are held against feeding because the metering wheel 26 is locked against rotation. Consequently the spider 62 is held against rotation lby the stamps and rotation of the drive shaft 34 merely causes the planet gears 64 to idle and results in rotation of the ring gear 66. When the actuating arm 53 is rotated in a clockwise direction to the actuating position the projection 54 is moved clear of the notches 56 releasing the metering wheel 26 for feeding and positioning the surface 57 for engagement by the stop surface 58. As soon as the stop surface 58 is carried by the rotation ofthe ring gear 66 into engagement with the surface 57 on the actuating arm 55, further rotation of the ring gear 66 is prevented, andthe spider 62 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3 to cause the feed roller 32 to dispense stamps. Since the stop 57 is tiexi-ble it can detiect radially in the event that it is in position to interfere with the movement of the arms 53 and 55 at the time the actuating arm moves to the operating position.

As soon as the proper number of stamps are dispensed as sensed vby the counter mechanism 25 the arm 55 returns to its locked position as illustrated in FIGURE 3. This serves to lock the driven gear 49 and in turn the metering wheel 26 against further rotation and at the same time releases the ring gear 66 for rotation affecting release of the clutch. Consequently, the single arm 55 performs combined functions. When in one position it locks the feed mechanism and releases the drive clutch. In its other position it engages the planetary clutch and releases the metering wheel for rotation.

Since the metering wheel 26 is journaled on the magazine and is removed when the magazine is removed means are provided to automatically insure the proper orientation of the metering Wheel 26 relative to the rst driven gear 49 when the magazine is mounted in the machine. If this were not done the feed mechanism could stop when the perforations were not properly located with respect to the cutter edge 41 and a stamp would be destroyed.

To insure this proper orientation a latch 81 is pivoted on a pin 82 on the magazine 23 and is formed with a projection 83 proportioned to iit into one of four notches `84 equally spaced around the periphery of the metering wheel 26. When the magazine 23 is loaded with stamps the arm is moved to position the projection 83 into yone of the notches 84 and locks the metering wheel with respect to the magazine in a predetermined orientation which is the correct orientation with respect to the iirst driven gear 49. When the magazine 23 is mounted in the machine the latch 81 is automatically withdrawn from the notch 84 after the proper meshing of the gear teeth is provided.

To accomplish this automatic release of the latch 81 a lever 86 (illustrated in phantom) is pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine by a pin `87. This lever 86 performs a dual function of releasably mounting the magazine 23 in the machine and also releasing the latch 81 after the magazine is properly positioned.

The rearward end of the magazine is formed with a notch 88 (illustrated in FIGURE 2) which tits over a pin 89 on the machine frame to locate the rearward end of the magazine when it is installed. The forward end of the magazine is formed with a projection 91 which tits up through a slot 92 formed in the guard bar 17 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. This structure accurately locates the forward end of the magazine. The final locking of the magazine is accomplished by the lever `86 which is formed with a lateral surface 93 provided by a notch engageable with a pin 94 supporting the metering wheel 26 on the magazine 23. The spring 55b urges the lever toward the latched position.

The operation of replacing a magazine 23 is as follows. The machine is first opened (as illustrated in FIGURE 2) to provide access to the magazine. The lever 86 is then rotated in a clockwise direction until the surface 93 is clear of the pin 94. As soon as the lever 86 is clear of the pin 94 the magazine is pivoted downwardly around the pin 89 until the projection 91 is clear of the machine and can be loaded with a fresh roll of strip stamps 24. Normally, a filled magazine is available to the operator so no delay is required in reloading the machine. During filling the lever 81 is positioned in a notch 84. The iilled magazine is placed in position with the notch 88 over the pin 89 and rotated in a clockwise direction until the projection 91 is properly located in the slot 92. During this movement the latch 81 maintains the metering wheel 26 in the proper position for engagement with the rst driven gear 49 so proper orientation is automatically assured.

As soon as the magazine is in the mounted position the lever 86 snaps into the position illustrated in FIG- URE 3 wherein the engagement between the surface 93 and the pin 94 completes the locking of the magazine in the machine. A surface 86a on the lever 86 also engages and releases the latch 81 so that the metering wheel can be rotated for dispensing operation. The machine is then closed and is ready for operation. The pins 87 and 89 are mounted on the portion of the machine frame which swings up when the machine is opened. Therefore, the magazine is locked in position 'while the machine is opened and remains in the mounted or locked position during the opening and closing of the machine.h

Since the only portion of the mechanism which must be stopped by the stamps when the dispensing operation is completed is the spider 62 and since this merely starts rotation of the ring gear 66 there is a relatively small mass which must be stopped by the strip 24 at the completion of the dispensing operation. Therefore, tearing of the strip does not occur. On the other hand, the starting of the strip by engagement of the planetary clutch causes the strip 24 to rotate the counting structure. The stop 57 is deilectable to a limited degree and cushions the commencement of feeding operation to protect the stamps against tearing.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 7, the magazine 23 is preferably formed of three plates 96, 97 and 98, maintained in a parallel relationship by spacer pins 99. The stamp roll is located between the plates 96 and 97 and is supported by rollers 101 and 102 which are mounted on the spacer pins 99 between the plates 96 and 97. The spacer pins are arranged to provide the proper spacing between the plates 96 and 97 for the particular size stamp being dispensed. A spring latch 103 is adapted to be withdrawn to permit the insertion of the roll of stamps 24 into the rearward end of the magazine between the plates 96 and 97. It then snaps back into position to prevent the roll from falling out during the loading of the magazine. The strip extends up over the roller 102 and then down between the metering wheel 26 and the guide 27. The end of the strip then passes up over the idler wheel 33 as indicated in FIGURE 7.

During the threading of the strip the latch 81 is released to allow free rotation of the metering wheel and after the strip is properly positioned the latch 81 is pressed down while rotating the wheel to cause the latch projection 83 to snap into one of the notches 84. Once this is accomplished the magazine is ready for loading in the machine.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications and rearrangements of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising a supply of strip material, a power driven drive member, strip feed means operable to dispense selected lengths of said strip, a planetary clutch including a sun gear element, a planet sup porting spider element and a ring gear element, a rst of said elements being drivingly connected to said drive member, rotation of a second of said elements operating said feed means, an actuator movable from a first position to a second position, movement of said actuator to said rst position locking said feed means against feeding and operating to release the third of said elements for free rotation, movement of said actuator to said second position locking said third element against rotation and releasing said feed means for feeding.

2. A dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 provided a supply of a plurality of strips and a strip feed means associatedwith each strip operable to dispense selected lengths of said associated strip, said power driven member being connected to and driving all of said strip feed means.

3. A strip dispenser comprising a frame, a magazine removably mounted on said frame, said magazine being adapted to be loaded with strip material, a cutter bar located in a predetermined position relative to said magazine 'when said magazine is mounted on said frame in position for dispensing strip, drive and counter means operable to dispense selected length of strip past said cutter bar and stop such dispensing when the selected length of strip is moved past said cutter bar, and second means"'automatically positioning said strip with respect to said drive and counter means and also said cutter bar duringthe mounting of said magazine in position for dispensing said strip.

4. A dispenser as set forth in claim 3 wherein said strip material consists of similar units, said drive and counter means is operable to stop with the edge of the last of the dispensed units adjacent said cutter bar, and said second means automatically positions said strip so that the edge of a unit is located adjacent said cutter bar.

5. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 wherein said drive and counter means including a metering element mounted on said magazine operable to engage said strip and move therewith in .a predetermined manner and also including a member on said frame in driving engagement with said metering element, and means automatically positioning said metering element with respect to said member in a predetermined orientation during the mounting of said magazine in said frame.

6. A stamp dispenser, as set forth in claim 5 wherein said units are stamps separated by perforations, said drive and counter means operate to dispense selected numbers of stamps past said cutter bar and stop such dispensing with the perforations of the last of the dispensed stamps adjacent said cutter bar, and means automatically positioning said strip with respect to said cutter bar during the mounting of said magazine in said frame in position for dispensing such stamps so that the perforations of a stamp is located adjacent said cutter bar.

7. A dispenser for Strips of units comprising a frame, a magazine removably mountable on said frame, said magazine being adapted to be loaded with a strip of units, drive and counter means operable to dispense selected numbers of units and stop such dispensing with the edge of the last of the dispensed units in a predetermined position, said drive and counter means including a metering wheel journaled on said magazine adapted to engage said strip, said metering wheel rotating through a predetermined angle during the dispensing of each unit, said drive and counter means yalso including a member journaled on said frame for rotation with said metering wheel with a predetermined velocity ratio, and positioning means automatically positioning said metering wheel with respect to said member in .a predetermined orientation during the mounting of said magazine in said frame in position for dispensing.

8. A dispenser, as defined in clairn 7, wherein said member is a gear meshing with gear teeth on said metering wheel when said magazine is mounted in position for dispensing.

9. A dispenser, Ias defined in claim 7, wherein said positioning means comprise a latch operable to lock said metering wheel in a predetermined position when said magazine is removed from said frame.

10- A dispenser, as defined in claim 9, wherein said latch is automatically released when said magazine is mounted in position for dispensing.

11. A dispenser for strips of units comprising a frame, a magazine removably mountable on said frame, said magazine being adapted to be loaded with a strip of units, a cutter bar located in a predetermined position relative to said magazine when said magazine is mounted on said frame in position for dispensing units, drive and counter means operable to dispense selected numbers of units past said cutter bar and stop such dispensing with the edge of the last of the dispensed units adjacent said cutter bar; said drive Iand counter means including a metering wheel engaging said strip without slippage whereby said wheel rotates through a predetermined angle each time a unit is dispensed, a power unit, a drive element operable to dispense units, a clutch operable to releasably connect said drive elements and power unit, and actuating means operable in one condition to lock said metering wheel against rotation and release said clutch land operable in another condition to engage said clutch and release said metering Wheel for rotation, and means automatically positioning said strip with respect to said drive and counter means and also with respect to said cutter when said magazine is mounted in said frame.

12. A dispenser, as defined in claim 11, wherein said actuating means includes an arm pivoted on said frame operable to latch said metering wheel in predetermined positions when said actuating means is in said one condition.

13. A dispenser, as defined in claim 12, wherein said clutch is a planetary drive and said arm locks one element thereof against rotation when said actuation means is in said other condition.

14. A dispenser, as defined in claim 12, wherein said metering wheel is iournaled on said magazine, and means are provided to position said metering wheel in one of a pluarlity of predetermined orientations during mounting of said magazine in said frame.

15. A dispenser for strips of units comprising -a frame, a magazine adapted to be loaded with a strip of units connected by laterally aligned perforations, said magazine being removably mounted in said frame, a cutter bar 1ocated in a predetermined position relative to said magazine at least when said magazine is mounted in said frame and positioned for dispensing, drive and counter means operable to dispense selected numbers of units past said cutter bar and stop with the perforations of the last of the dispensed units adjacent said cutter bar, said drive and counter means including a wheel journaled on said magazine formed with projections registering with the perforations in said strip and a gear journaled on said frame adapted to mesh with said wheel, and latch means maintaining a predetermined orientation of said wheel with respect to said gear during mounting of said magazine in said frame whereby said strip is automatically positioned with perforations adjacent said cutter bar when said magazine is mounted in said frame in position for dispensing.

16. A dispenser for strips of units comprising a frame, a plurality of magazines each removably mounted on said frame, each magazine being adapted to be loaded with a strip of units, drive and counter means for each magazine operable to dispense selected numbers of lunits and stop with the edge of the last of the dispensed units in a predetermined location, a power driven drive shaft extending past each of said magazines, and a planetary clutch for each drive and counter means individually operable to connect Said drive shaft with the associated drive and counter means and individually operable to disconnect said drive shaft from the associated drive and counter means, and an actuator associated with each planetary clutch and associated drive and counter means operable in one position to lock said drive and counter means against dispensing movement in predetermined positions while releasing the associated planetary clutch and operable in another position to actuate the associated clutch while releasing the associated drive and counter means for dispensing operation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,435,231 11/1922 Helsel 83-243 2,417,596 3/ 1947 Helsel 83-243 3,212,692 lO/1965 Arp 83-243 X JAMES M. MEISTER, Primtary Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPLY OF STRIP MATERIAL, A POWER DRIVEN MEMBER, STRIP FEED MEANS OPERABLE TO DISPENSE SELECTED LENGTHS OF SAID STRIP, A PLANETARY CLUTCH INCLUDING A SUN GEAR ELEMENT, A PLANET SUPPORTING SPIDER ELEMENT AND A RING GEAR ELEMENT, A FIRST OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE MEMBER, ROTATION OF A SECOND OF SAID ELEMENTS OPERATING SAID FEED MEANS, AN ACTUATOR MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION, MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUTATOR TO SAID FIRST POSITION LOCKING SAID FEED MEANS AGAINST FEEDING AND OPERATING TO RELEASE THE THIRD OF SAID ELEMENTS FOR FREE ROTATION, MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR TO SAID SECOND POSITION LOCKING SAID THIRD ELEMENT AGAINST ROTATION AND RELEASING SAID FEED MEANS FOR FEEDING. 